2 November 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal Report

Professional Learning Day

At Exeter Primary we are committed to ongoing professional learning and understand the importance of teachers having access to the latest research on teaching and learning. Throughout 2016 our teachers have participated in professional learning in the following learning areas: Spelling, Writing, Numeracy – problem solving and STEAM (Science Technology Engineering, Art and Mathematics). This work has resulted in some significant changes in pedagogy and curriculum delivery and part of our work at the recent Professional Learning Day was to complete work started this year and establish starting points for 2017. During the day teachers completed the Exeter Primary School Spelling Scope and Sequence, which was the culmination of a year’s work and disseminated the work the Numeracy Problem Solving Team completed in relation to problem solving strategies and resources. These 2 curriculum areas will remain focusses for 2017 and we now have some school-wide structures and processes to ensure that these learning areas are being consistently taught across all grades.

The other part of the day was spent reflecting on our school Operational Plan and reviewing our work against data collected. This process is very valuable in helping us to plan for the coming year and in being able to allocate the necessary resources. If you would like to know more about any of the things covered please talk with your child’s class teacher.

Dads and Kids Reading night

Thank you to all our wonderful dads who came along with their children to the Dads and Kids Reading night last Thursday. We were very impressed to have such a good turn out and see how highly our families value reading to their children. A special thank you the community members and Exeter staff who volunteered to read a story to the group.

Swimming Carnival

This Friday our annual 3-6 Swimming Carnival will be held at the George Town Swimming Pool. Students will leave school at 9.00 a.m. and will return to school at 2.00 p.m. Students are expected to wear their school/sports uniform and a sun safe hat. All students will need to apply sunscreen regularly and be appropriately covered when not in the water. Students will need to bring a packed lunch and plenty of water to drink, as the canteen at the pool will not be available to students. It is expected that all students return to school with their classes at the conclusion of the carnival.

Class Construction for 2017

Thank you to those families who have made contact with me to share information in relation to their child’s class placement for 2017. Where possible we try to meet parental requests but also focus on constructing balanced classes. The input of teachers is considered important as they have a deep understanding of both the learning and social needs of students and how they interact with their peers in the classroom setting. If you would like to pass on any information please do so in writing, to the school office or via email to alison.brooks@education.tas.gov.au by this Friday November 4. Information received after that date may not be considered.

PIPS (Performance Indictors in Primary Schools)

Over the past week all Prep students have been involved in PIPs testing. PIPS testing happens twice in the Prep year and provides valuable information on how students are progressing in their learning and highlighting areas where intervention is needed. For more information please see information below.

Halloween Social

Don’t forget this week’s Halloween Social. Children will be supervised whilst at the social but will need to be collected by a parent at the end of the social.

Lift

Family Maths

The answer to the problem in our last newsletter is;

The numbers Stan will eventually say are:-
53, 78 and 418
The Extension answer is 993 and 998

Here is this week’s problem. Don’t forget to bring your answer to the school office and receive a Be Your Best ticket!

Straight As An Arrow

Danny fires 4 arrows at this target.
All 4 arrows score points.
Danny scores 27 points.
Where did Danny’s arrows land?

Extension:

Is this the only answer or can you think of some more?

Dads and Kids Reading Night

Our inaugural Dads and Kids Reading Night held last week was a wonderful success. It was lovely to see dads and their children enjoying time and read books together. Thanks to our Special Guest Readers Peter Habel, Paul Scott, Mike Gorham and Thomas Clark. Thanks also to the mums who organised the milo and provided biscuits for our supper. This evening is sure to become a regular event on Exeter Primary’s calendar.

We hope you enjoy these videos!

Steve Biddulph

Do not forget Steve Biddulph, one of the world’s best known parent educators, is coming to Exeter Primary School to present a community evening on Raising Girls. Please see flyer below for more information on how to secure your ticket to this event. Do not delay in purchasing you tickets as numbers are limited and we do not want you to miss out!

We are pleased to advise our parents and school community that Steve Biddulph will be presenting his Raising Boys talk on Thursday 7 March, 2017 and his talk The Secret of Raising Happy Children on Thursday 8 June, 2017. Mark these dates in your diary now! More information will be provided later in the year.

Respectful School

Growth Mindset

We are continuing to inform parents and families about the social and emotional learning we are undertaking. We have been working on developing Growth Mindsets with our students for some time and so are sharing some informative youtube clips that have already been shared with our students. This clip is the second in a series of 5 and the topic is The Magic of Mistakes!

We hope these clips will be the catalyst for discussion on building a Growth Mindset at home.

Canteen

Hot Pie Special

This Thursday November 3rd Mrs Mohr will have available for order a ‘Pie with sauce together with a Fruit Box Special” all for the extremely great price of $5.00.

Birthdays

Nov

Ryan Fraser
Eli Holloway
Brady Heald
Rose Younger
Ewan Marsden
Amy Plapp
Billy Wright
PJ Dolley
Reece Vanden Bosch
James Hunt
Jack Lee
Kyle Walters
Caitlin Butler
Edward Nettlefold
Rick Church
Jayden Lockhart
Emily Rossiter
Dylan Gelston
William Logan
Willow Deegan
Keira Hogan
Tyler Hornsby
Brock Dank
Princess Feely
Summer Hefford
Jesse Retallick
Kate Swan
Ruby Barnes
Jackson Greenhalf
Bayden French
Sienna Bennett
Jaiden Betts
Bronson Bosworth
Chloe Porteus
Lotus Pickering
Monique Salter
Makayla Danson-Green
Makayla Nettlefold
Caleb Preston-Ogier
Kimberly Jackson
Jasper Patrick
Gemma Shaw

Our Learning Community

Library

Reading Groups

Last term 4 Gee’s Reading Group read Just a Dog by Michael Gerard Bauer and had something fantastic happen!

The boys thoroughly enjoyed the book and were very keen to write down their thoughts. Imagining that Mr Bauer might like to see them, the following were emailed to him.

“I think the way you wrote the book was amazing…we found out that Mr Mosely loved his family even when he was hurt and that’s why I loved this book.” Lachlan.

“I really enjoyed this book, especially the chapter Mr Mosely and the strangers. I think it was very clever the way you wrote the book because Mr Mosely isn’t just a dog, he was almost like a super dog.” Charles.

“The book Just a Dog is an amazing book. It’s heart-warming and a beautiful story. It’s one of my favourites”…Adrian.

“The book Just a Dog was a very understanding book. It showed us Mr Mosely, and you showed us that Mr Mosely wasn’t just a dog…” Dylan.

“I think that book was amazing! I really liked it because of how it was set out. I think it was the best book I have read” Jesse.

“It was very cool the way you said “just a dog”, and I thought that you put a lot of thought into it” Levi.

Despite Jack being away for this session the group passed on the message that Jack thought the book was “awesome!”

The boys were delighted when Mr Bauer himself replied the same day! He said it was wonderful to hear from them and he included a photo of himself with a message especially for the boys.

What a great Reading experience! Thanks Mr Bauer!

Sport

2016 Exeter Swimming Carnival Friday 4/11

Possible Rain Days 8/11, 9/11

Student/Staff/Parent Relay(if teams):

4 Student Teams – First 4 from Div. 1 in Gr. 5 Girls/5 Boys/6 Girls/ 6 Boys
25m Freestyle Events

Up to 3 Parent Teams – Make own teams-Let me know if you have a team.

Points Allocation:

1st - 2nd - 3rd - 4th - 5th – 8th

5pts - 4pts - 3pts - 2pts - 1pts

Strokes:

Backstroke: Any stroke performed on back

Breaststroke: Circular underwater arm pull and continuous attempted breaststroke kick

Relays: Any stroke, next swimmer must enter water after previous swimmer has touched wall.

Starts: 25m Pool-Children can start from blocks, beside blocks or in the water. 15m races, chn start holding rope that is across pool.

Finishing: Must touch hand on wall(both hands together with Breaststroke and 1 hand touch behind head in back position for Backstroke). No leaping to wall/pushing off bottom.

Note: Due to safety regulations enforced by the West Tamar Swimming Association in charge of the George Town Pool with regard to the number of lifeguards employed for a Carnival, we are unable to provide the opportunity for students to have a free swim or slide at the end of the carnival.

TPSSA Swimming Carnival-Thursday 10/11(Rain Day 11/11).

The Arts

Come along to celebrate an afternoon of the Arts at Exeter Primary School on November the 16th in the Performing Arts Centre. Join us for an afternoon of dance, singing, drama and much much more from 2pm.

Following our performance afternoon we will officially open our 2016 Arts Gallery which can be reached by taking a stroll through our Arts Trail. You will see a collection of sculptures on our Arts Trail which will culminate in the main corridor for the Art Gallery Opening.

We look forward to celebrating the Arts at Exeter Primary on the 16th of November.

In the coming weeks more information will follow regarding the allocation of seats.

Parents

What’s Happening in Our Classrooms?

Grade Two Doyle

The children in Grade 2 Doyle were fortunate to have a chance to experience their own try out at First Aid training from St John. The students’ experience included an opportunity to try out bandaging their friends in different scenarios.

Harrison had broken his arm Ewan had been “bitten” by a snake so Alex T saved him from “certain death.”

Keira, Shannon and Zara tried out resuscitation on the dummy. The three girls also successfully demonstrated how to use the ”defibrillator” replica to bring our dummy back to normal. Oh course, they saved him

Everyone from our class had a wonderful time, especially, since they felt they had all learnt something. They also loved the idea of bandaging up their classmates. The instructor commented on the great listening skills and excellent behaviour of the students in our school.

School Association

Meeting Cancelled

Due to the evening with Steve Biddulph the November P&F meeting will be cancelled. Our next meeting will be held on 8th December at 7.30pm in the EPS staffroom. Everyone welcome.

Community News

West Tamar Youth Centres – RE-open for Term 4

Youth Centres at Beaconsfield and Legana have now re-opened for Term 4 activities. Youth centres are open Monday (Beaconsfield), Tuesday (Legana), and Wednesday (Beaconsfield), with new and exciting activities each week for West Tamar residents aged 10-16. New members always welcome. For further information please contact Stewart Bell (stewart.bell@wtc.tas.gov.au) or phone: 63239206.

Hello from Camp Clayton!

I am just writing to let you know that over the 2016-2017 summer holidays we will be running four holiday camps for kids in grades 3-12! We would love it if you could let those at your school know about these holiday programs on your noticeboards and newsletter. I have attached some pictures for you to use if required. One covers all the camps over the break, while others are for specific camps of which you can pick out those relevant to your grades.

We believe camps are a fantastic way for forming friendships, developing teamwork and getting outside of your comfort zone. You can find out more about us and our holiday camps via the link below

Thanks a lot. Please feel free to contact us at youthwork@campclayton.org.au if you have any questions. We would also like to keep our database of schools as up to date as possible, so if there is a better way to get this information to you, let us know!

Camp Clayton Youth Work Team

Free Tennis Day

At Legana Tennis Club, Fulton St Legana

1.00pm-3.00pm Saturday 19 November 2016
Free tennis, coach available, hot shots, ‘hit the target’, ball machine
balloon art, icy poles and giveaways.
If you are interested in tennis whether you're a beginner or experienced your welcome to come along and join in the fun

More details contact Craig 0447 501 209 cboyce38@hotmail.com

Website: Tennis.com.au>leganatc